Friday, May 16, 2008

Getting Down To Business: Update

Spent the better part of today at hospital while doctors fussed over size of baby and fact of ongoing contractions that seem to go nowhere. The baby? IS HUGE. Well over nine pounds now and measuring off the chart for length and head size and everything size and very near to the point where they automatically recommend c-section. My doctor, however, is very anti-c-section unless absolutely medically necessary so there was consultation after consultation with other doctors and OBs about whether the fact that my body has been preparing itself slooowly for 'natural' labor is reason enough to wait some more days.

They decided that it is. Wait.

I cried.

Which, embarassing, but still. CANNOT do this. Need this baby out. And would strongly prefer that the 'getting out' not involve my nether regions being torn to shreds by a gargantuan head and general fetal massivosity.

I'm now exhausted and in pain and terrified of staying pregnant while this baby grows and grows and becomes too big to fit out my hoo-ha. And the castor oil? Has done nothing as yet. (Although, for the record? Mixed with a cocktail of cream soda and root beer - don't ask - it doesn't taste all that bad.) NOTHING.

So. Having tried pretty much everything - seriously - that there is to try, all that's left is praying.

88 Comments:

If you do end up with a c-section get up and move as soon as you feel your feet. The pain makes it tempting to stay in bed, but that pain will go away much faster if you get moving. I know because I have done it that way twice before. Both of my boys were 10+ pounds and I am very glad for c-sections.

I so remember this with both of my girls. I really swear that I would be preggers forever. Castor Oil didn't kick in labor for me, neither did jumping up and down in the bathroom forever. I was willing to anything to get those kids out of me. Especially Chicken, I was so big and felt so yucky and she was 9.5 lbs so I wasn't looking forward to that. (No c section~just the chicken shooting out quickly like some damn amusement ride somewhere)

I am also shooting you off some labor vibes or the ob gets on the truck with c section vibes!!

Please try not to be terrified of a big baby. Doctors are very, very often wrong about a baby's size and it's rare that there is a true misfit between baby and mother. And I know that's easy for me to say, but I did give birth to two babies over nine pounds, one without any medication or even medical assistance (that last part not on purpose, heh), with only minimal tearing.

I was about to say what Melissa said about size estimates - my friend last summer was being told that her baby was something like 11 or 12 lbs. and it was really more like 9 and change, they had really over-estimated, so I do hope that's your case, too!

Thinking of you often and hoping this will get on with it this weekend so you can get on to the recovering path.

I've been lurking and following and feeling so bad for you! I know what it is like, 10 days after my due date I sat sobbing to my doctor that I didn't want to be pregnant anymore. I was finally induced.I hope more then anything you get that baby out ASAP!

The final few days of pregnancy are possibly the very worst days I've ever had, and I always became convinced that I'd accidentally signed up for The Pregnancy That Would Never End, God Help Me. But the babies DID always come out, and honestly to ME, you sound like a woman who is about to go into labour.

The size of your baby doesn't always have much to do with how hard labour ends up being - a friend of mine gave birth to an ELEVEN POUND baby (and this friend is TINY!)in just a couple of hours and was FINE afterwards, too.

Mother of a 9 lb son. He was the easiest to birth of all my kids and he was the largest. He was also the only one NOT brought on by Pitocin. Know what made him come on his own? Sex. Ask a nurse and they'll tell you. That said? Still praying for you...and I'm not even much of a praying person.

Oh, sweetie... My "9-pound" first baby (who was 9 days overdue)turned out to be 7 pounds!! And she arrived in record time.

If you are really feeling emotionally distraught, call your doctor back. An induction might be just the ticket-- and even if they just give you a DATE when they plan to go ahead (no matter how they choose to proceed!), that will give you something to look forward to.

A happy, healthy mummy helps to make a happy, healthy baby... And it's time to get HBM some SERIOUS "happy"!!

It's going to be ok... Remember that your body has done the childbirth-thing before... You can do this!!

Oy vey! Am sending up prayers for Sprout to make his appearance this weekend and to be as gentle as possible on your hoo-ha!!

I can't comment on the size thing; what do I know? My guy was a 27 weeker just barely over a pound! I pray your doc at least gives you some sort of end-date in sight for either induction or section. Sheesh.

You know the old "What got you into this will get you out?" I know, what could be worse than a little Bow chicka wow wow right now, but seriously. I was in a similar boat with my son, and a couple of frustrated, tearful, not at all romantic interludes with the huz at 4 am did the trick. I was in labor 10 minutes later. We love you and want this beautiful boy to come out soon. And he will!

Apart from his weight, there's the issue of other measurements - he has a really big head and is really looong (they can measure and *feel* that) Feel my ginormous belly and his size is no mystery. AAGH.

If I had the cash, I would fly you to St. Louis where my doctor would take that kiddo out in record time. (My first was seven days late, and she ended up being a ten pounder. She left the hospital wearing 3-month clothes.) The best of luck to you.

When I worked in early childhood development, one of the moms had a preschooler and a LONG overdue baby. Her mother came in with the little boy and I asked, hopefully, if the little boy's mom was in labor? The grandmother pulled me into the office, laughing, and said that no, she wasn't...but she had tried castor oil.

Problem was, she couldn't remember if it was a tablespoon or a teaspoon, or the whole bottle. Such was her desperation that she drank the whole bottle. Grandma had called the house that morning to check on her, but the preschooler answered the phone. "Mommy can't come to the phone," he said. "She's sh**ting her pants."

Oh man. I've never commented before, but I read your blog and enjoy your writing. I just want to wish you the best. I'm confident you'll get through this soon, but I suspect the seconds are longer for you than they are for me at the moment. So, yeah, I'll do all I can do, which is to wish you strength to hold you over. :)

As for the big baby thing, I remember when I got to two weeks post-date my OB joked, "Open your mouth, let me see if I see any feet." Being as short as I am, she was convinced if the baby were allowed to hang out any longer, we could consider a groundbreaking "oral" birth.

I've had two c-sections. It helped to bring in music we wanted to hear during delivery. Relaxed everyone in the room. :) I second the recommendation of getting up and moving. Also, Lortab is your friend.

I've been following your updates on Twitter- gawd how I feel for you!! I hated those last days so freakin much. I cried too. Lots of crying. My girl was a 9lber but we have big babies in this family. She was 10 days late. I think I made it much too comfortable for her. And I tried it all, down to scrubbing the kitchen floor cause someone said the motion or whatever. Nothing freaking worked. Got admitted Monday night and she didn't make her showing til Thursday just after midnight. Uh huh. Had to be induced. And that ladies and gentlemen is why I only have one, hehLots and lots of warm baby inducing thoughts sent your way!

He was 10lb + and when they announced his head size I thought them meant length.

In many ways it was a better, easier labour than with #1 who was only 8,3.

My baby was so robust and feeding was easier. If he lost more weight than the numbers dictated I didn't have to worry.

I am truly excited about your Mr Little big Guy.

The contractions I cannot speak to so know you have my 'oh honey' on your soldiering on. I am sure it will pay off somewhere soon. A quick labour?, a world class latch, an early sleeper...? you will get your due.

If not those then perhaps the distinct reward of a beautiful new child created by a lovely family.

I will harp again. Stop thinking about labour! Enjoy the waning days of WonderBaby's only childhood.

BTW when I let the Junipers have it on that score I think they had the baby the next day. Just sayin'

I don't know if this helps at all, but my boy was allegedy 9+ pounds too, and the Dr.'s were talking necessary c-section and everything. He ended up being 7 pounds 12 ounces and I've since learned they are barely guessing about the size and weight until they come out. Either way - you body can DO THIS! 7 pounds, 10 pounds, your nether regions don't care - they can DO IT!

I am SO sorry! That's what happened to me when I took castor oil... spent hours at the hospital just to be sent home.BUT, I had her within a week of that!Keep your chin up! (easier said than done, which is why I'm saying this at 5 weeks pregnant, not 39)

Ack, you are a trooper. Seriously. I came by thinking there would be an announcement (and wanting that name!). Thinking of you.

Oh, and not to get graphic, but the sex thing has worked twice for me. You have to get the big O, bigger the better. That's what kicks the contractions into gear. Easy for me to say, I know, I'm not nine months pregnant!

Christonabike, I don't have anything wonderfully inspirational to tell you, and I'm so sorry this is taking so frakking long.

I've had 2 c sections and they weren't bad at all. If you do have one, my only assvice to you is to get up and walk the second they will let you. I healed really really fast by walking to the NICU every hour or three.

You're not likely to have quite the same motivation for walking as I had -- it was easy for me to get out of bed and walk because both times I gave birth they took my baby and put him in the NICU on the other side of the hospital from me -- but walking was really helpful for healing.

That said, this sucks ass. And I'm just so so sorry it's crappy for you.

My third was a c-section and the other two just made me wait forevah in long induced labors for their arrivals. Those last days and hours are the hardest. Sounds like you and this (not so!) little one are in good hands. Come on baby!

Oh, enough about the baby, this labour has been going on for what, 2 weeks?(Kidding. My sympathies.))But seriously, let's talk about Lost! It did rock. I felt it was really quite sad. I felt really bad for the six.

And the bomb about Jack at the end! Did NOT see that coming (until about 1/2 way through the conversation.)

And yeah, I am super slow to come around, but I now love Ben so much. He is awesome. Ever since the Shape of Things to Come episode a few weeks ago. Since he's been John's captive, he has become really funny. Love it.

Back to Jack - what is the point to the thing we found out? Where is that leading?

Did they check your Bishop's score? If you have a reasonable one, and your baby's not posterior or anything, I would think that the prodromal labor would be a decent reason to induce in someone who's had a previous vaginal birth.

I too had babies who were way overestimated for size: over three weeks before they actually arrived my twins were estimated at the size they in fact were at birth (around 8 and 8.75 pounds). If the estimates had been correct, I should have had at least one ten-pounder.

Here's hoping it's fast and easy once you're there! I always wanted a chance at a second labor (the twins were a planned C-section due to breech/transverse presentation, and my third was essentially a first labor).

If it makes you feel any better( sure it won't) my youngest was 10.5 ppounds and we induced ON his due date. I was able to push him out pretty easily and hadfive small tears and an episiotomy. Really though, I had a csection with the first and my second birth was so much more awesome, even with the vagina pain. Plus, I was a major celebrity in the hospital and everyone came to see the woman who pushed a toddler sized infant out of her hoohoo.

You're so writing my thoughts. I'm on the painful-contraction train too. The in-laws are here waiting. My folks keep calling. We've tried sex, acupuncture, constant walking, squatting, telling him to get the @$&* out. So far, no joy. Puh-lease don't do more castor oil. That just freaks me out. Mind you, if it works for you...

BTW, I have a friend who delivered her 2nd at 11 lbs (yes, it's possible) and no tearing. Believe. Good luck.

I would have cried like the little baby I am so no shame, no shame. And I'm with Baby in the City - Ben is getting so freakin' loveable (wah? did I just say that). And what happens(ed) to Jin - he's with Sayid so what the heck happened? I must know NOW.

And, all - on the inducement issue: I begged, but the hospital (which is also where my doctor's practice is) has a policy against inducements before one week past due unless medically necessary. My torment does not constitute medical necessity. His size does, but that doesn't prompt inducement, it prompts c-section (they're worried in particular about his shoulders getting stuck) But they still want to wait until doing another measurement next week. Which: CANNOT WAIT THAT LONG.

oh for fu#king out loud. i mean, i am really, REALLY getting sick of this whole "nature knows what's best" crapola. where is it written that the best medicine is to make a woman lose her ever-lovin' mind for the sake of "good medicine?" is it REALLY good medicine to drive us to the brink of lying in hopes of an induction? working ourselves ragged, eating bizarre things and damn near throwing ourselves down a flight of stairs in hopes of putting ourselves into labor? come ON, people! i'm here to shout to the masses that "natural childbirth" is about as archaic as leeches.

forgive me--i, too, spent a day in the hospital recently (thursday), only to be told it wasn't "good medicine" for them to offer me pitocin at "only" 37 weeks. 39, sure, but not 37. yes, i gave them the 100-yard mommy stare. no, it didn't phase them.

My first was 10 lbs 12oz, and the good news was that my doctor said, why, your pelvis could deliver an even larger baby! The point is, size doesn't matter--my second baby was smaller, and the labour more difficult. Your body knows what it's doing. (First had big head and was long, too. . .)

this sounds so very much like what I went through last month with Henry. 41 hour labour. Giant baby (9 lbs, 14 oz). Giant head. Lots of anxiety about getting that giant baby out of my hoo-ha. And the fucking ongoing contractions. I was so exhausted as well with no sleep. You know what helped my through the labour itself? Gravol. Swear to god. I still couldn't sleep, but it was enough to put me into "twilight sleep" where I didn't care so much about being so exhausted. Small amount of relief, but it helped.

I so can not relate, because I had an super easy pregnancy - I probably would've been happy to be later so I could actually get some more lab work done. So not saying that to be mean. Just wanted to say that even though I can not relate, I feel for you. I hope and pray that you're pushing sprout out now. lots of love

oh honey, feeling for you, for sure! Have you tried a car ride (preferably with very bad springs) over a very bad road? Seriously... that seemed to bring it on with my very first, many many eons ago...

Congrats!!! I hope everyone is doing fine!! Best wishes for you and the baby!! Get up and get moving. It really does help. I delivered my twins via c-section at 4:27 and 4:29pm and was up at 10pm when I got the feeling back in my feet enough to stand up. It does help!!

catherine i hope the next time i read something on here it is that baby has finally come.you poor thing,that is a massive size for baby.sending you beautiful calm birth vibes.hey sprout time to get outta your mama.LAVANDULA